Bill's Ride for Research

Port Macquarie's Bill Webber cycles 500 kilometres to raise funds for Dementia Australia

 Raising awareness: 81-year-old Bill Webber recently completed a 500 kilometre bike ride and 100 kilometre kayak paddle for Dementia Australia. Photo: Supplied

 "A good day is when you don't get hit by a car, chased by a dog or get a puncture."

That's Port Macquarie local Bill Webber's cycling philosophy.

The 81-year-old has just completed a solo fundraising cycle and kayak paddle to raise much-needed funds for dementia research.

The fundraiser consisted of a 500 kilometre bike ride and 100 kilometres worth of kayak paddling and was spurred on by Bill's older brother George's dementia diagnosis.

"I started the ride on Friday, September 3, in Port Macquarie before having Saturday off and continuing on Sunday through until Tuesday when I reached Tweed Heads," Bill said.

"I was averaging between 125 to 130 kilometres each day."

The ride was organised to coincide with George's 90th birthday.

"George is currently residing and being cared for in a residential facility on the Gold Coast, but unfortunately we weren't able to see each other because of the border closure."

Bill completed the 100 kilometres of kayak paddling locally and was given the green light to complete the bike ride along the Pacific Highway by NSW Health.

Although the ride was completed solo, Bill did have the continuous support of his wife Caroline along the way.

"Thank goodness for Caroline, I couldn't have done it without her.

"She was my road crew, masseur, tea lady and much more."

Bill has raised $11,444 for Dementia Australia. His fundraising page will remain open until the end of the month which will coincide with Dementia Awareness Week (September 21-26).

"We associate dementia with age, but it can also impact younger people and there are even children who have it," Bill said.

"It's pretty scary and there is no cure which is what hurts. But with efforts being made to research the disease, hopefully down the track there will be a cure."

Bill said that in 2016 and 2017 dementia was the leading cause of death in Australia for women and the second for men.

"I think research into dementia and trying to find a cure is something we need to work harder at. It impacts a large number of people and their loved ones," he said.

"There is so much more that needs to be done and fundraising for Dementia Australia is just one small way to help out."

Bill said spending time alone on the ride gave him plenty of time to think and his thoughts always circled back to George and the sadness of not having a cure for dementia.

He said it's only through public donations that vital research will continue.

"It does feel good to have completed the ride and paddle. We gave it our best shot, but I always feel like there is more that I could have done.

"It's not going to be enough until we have a cure."

Locals can read more about Bill's ride and donate through his fundraising page.

Update 7: Bill’s Ride for Dementia Research

After four days on the M1 Motorway with the constant ‘companionship’ of thundering B-double trucks, we are both happy and relieved to report that Bill has completed his solo cycle/paddle fundraiser for Dementia Australia’s Research Foundation.

We received permission to undertake the cycle trip as it was a fundraiser. The four stages were:

1.      Port Macquarie to Nambucca

2.      Nambucca to Grafton

3.      Grafton to Ballina

4.      Ballina to Tweed Heads ( the border )

Bill calculated he spent a total of 24 ½  hours on the bike throughout the ride.

Bill’s bike is a 13 kg dual suspension Giant mountain bike. His back up bike ( which he did not have to use) was an 8 kg Canondale full carbon road bike.

Due to the closure of the NSW-Queensland border due to COVID-19 lockdowns, we could not get to the Gold Coast to visit Bill’s brother George; however, Bill’s nieces were with George when he arrived at Tweed Heads and explained to him what was happening – that his brother Bill had just ridden up to try to visit him for his 90^th birthday. Mission complete to the best of our capabilities.

It was heartening to be able to tell Bill en route that he had received two more donations whilst on the actual ride. He has decided to keep the fundraiser going until the end of Dementia Awareness Week in late September.

Bill started training for his fundraising cycle back in June because he needed to build an endurance base. Over this period of time he estimates he clocked up 3500 kms highway riding.

One thing about spending so much time alone on a bike on a Motorway is that there is plenty of time to think. Bill said his thoughts were many and varied but always circled back to George and the sadness of the fact that we don’t seem to be any closer to finding a cure for dementia. It is only through public donations, such as those from all of you who have so generously donated to this fundraiser that vital research can continue.

Finally, thank you to my wife Caroline who was my ‘road crew’, masseur, ‘tea lady’ etc etc.

Footnote: I am “totally over” cycling on motorways!!!!!!

Update 6: Bill’s Ride for Dementia Research

With the likelihood of extended lockdowns being in place for all New South Wales in the foreseeable future, long distance rides out of area are now off the agenda. In view of this, Bill decided to undertake the 100 kms of paddles section of his fundraiser last week. The weather was perfect and you can’t be more socially distanced than out on the water. All three paddles were continuous with no coffee shop breaks along the way.

Paddle 1: August 17

Telegraph Point to Westport & back to Settlement Point. 35 kms. Time 3 hours, 34 minutes

Paddle 2: August 19

Connection Creek to Hibbard & back to 88 Riverside Drive. 35 kms. Time 3 hours, 35 minutes

Paddle 3: August 21

88 Riverside Drive to Rocks Ferry, Wauchope return. 30 kms. Time 3 hours, 18 minutes

TOTAL:

DISTANCE: 100 kms

TIME: 10 hours, 28 minutes

85% tide assisted, 15% against.

When Bill finished the third paddle our dog ‘Billie’ was the welcoming committee & she jumped into the kayak to greet him.

Thank you again to everyone who has so far donated to this fundraiser.

Update 5: Bill’s Ride for Dementia Research

With all New South Wales in lock down, long distance training rides are off limits at present. So today Bill started on the 100 kms of paddles section of his fundraiser for Dementia Australia’s Research Foundation.

We are lucky we have an abundance of rivers on our doorstep and do not have to travel out of area to paddle. Bill clocked up 35 kms in three hours and thirty one minutes….non stop paddling; 70 more to go!!

With good water for most of the paddle, tide assist and a clear, sunny day it was good to get this first leg of the paddle under the belt.

Once again thank you to everyone who has donated. We are close to $10,000 which is fantastic.

Bill & Caroline

Update 4: Bill’s Ride for Dementia Research

Proud supporters: L to R: Richard, Bill , Maria & Bill Webber

Another long training ride… 90 kms… first on the challenging, off road surface of Maria River Rd. and then out along Belmore St. from Crescent Head to Gladstone on the junction of the Macleay and Belmore Rivers. After 60 kms solo, four of us joined Bill for the last 30 kms along the scenic, rural Left Bank Rd. This is a beautiful ride which we call ‘Le Tour de Belmore’. With the Belmore River flowing languidly on one side and the rolling, flat plains of the Macleay floodplain stretching out as far as the eye can see on the other, this was a pleasant way for  Bill to round off his ride.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to Bill’s fundraiser. All funding for Dementia Australia’s Research Foundation comes from donations from members of the public and private and philanthropic organisations. Consequently, every dollar raised is vital for the Foundation’s work to continue. The major barrier to the development of new interventions and treatments for dementia in Australia are lack of research, funding and infrastructure. 

Update 3: Bill’s Ride for Dementia Research

The mid north coast was being whipped by wild westerly winds when Bill set off for his training ride on Saturday.  I checked the speed of the wind gusts at 9am and they were recorded at 46.3 km/h!!

Bill’s route took him north, destination Macksville on the Nambucca River, 103 kms from home. The ride was not without its challenges with some unpredictable side gusts buffeting him along the long, open stretches and a puncture about two thirds of the way up the seemingly never- ending hill through Cooperabung. He had to walk the bike up the remainder of the hill until he could find a safe spot to repair it. There is always broken glass along the shoulders of the highway.

This week Bill has ridden 283 kms; that’s in the vicinity of the same number of people diagnosed with dementia DAILY throughout Australia.

Thank you so very much to everyone who has donated to Bill’s fundraiser. By the time cash and weekend monies are added, Bill will have reached his $5000 target and he hopes this will continue to grow for such an important cause.

Bill & Caroline  

Update 2: Bills Ride for Dementia Research

It’s good to have a day out of the saddle…..but that doesn’t mean a rest!!!

Bill was out on the Hastings River (Dhoongang) in Birpai country on Tuesday clocking up some kms for the paddle part of his fundraising challenge.

As of this morning, Wednesday July 7, $3049 has been raised.

We are inspired and humbled by the response we have received so far.

Thank you everyone for your support.

Bill and Caroline

Update 1. Bill’s Ride for Dementia Research

                                   “The loneliness of the long- distance cyclist”!!!

It’s 6.15 am on a chilly Sunday morning in Riverside. Still dark, the neighbours are asleep  in bed & not even the kookaburras are awake, but it’s time to get on the bike and start training.

Bill did 89 kms on his ride despite a puncture which, although he repaired and re- inflated it, left him with only 15 psi ( normally 75 psi !! ) in that tyre for the 48 kms to home!! Good resistance training for the legs!!

Bill’s cycling philosophy: “A good day is when you don’t get hit by a car, chased by a dog or get a puncture!!”.

After this dark and chilly start he arrived home safe and sound and was warmed by the generosity of those of you who have already donated to his fundraising effort.

We put his challenge up on Facebook on Saturday evening and by mid- morning Sunday $727 had been donated.

A huge thank you everyone. Much appreciated.

Bill & Caroline